Aditi, one of the hundred daughters of Daksha, is revered as the mother of the Devas and the wife of the great sage Kashyapa. The Devas, her divine sons, are often referred to as the Adityas in her honor. Aditi’s name, meaning “unbinding” or “liberation,” reflects her nature as a figure of expansive freedom and divine nurturing in the cosmic order. Known for her compassion and grandeur, she possesses celestial earrings of unsurpassed splendor, symbols of her heavenly beauty and influence.
Aditi’s Rivalry with Her Sister Diti
As the mother of the Devas, Aditi holds a profound sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards her sons, including Indra, the king of the gods. Her relationship with her sister Diti, also married to Kashyapa and the mother of the Asuras, the perpetual rivals of the Devas, is marked by tension. Aditi and Diti’s rivalry symbolizes the cosmic battle between light and darkness, order and chaos.
In one instance [Devi:4.3.18], Aditi incited her son Indra to thwart Diti’s plans to give birth to a powerful son who could threaten the Devas. When Diti was pregnant, Indra entered her womb through his mystical powers and, at Aditi’s urging, struck the fetus with his thunderbolt, causing it to split into seven parts. Each fragment then gave rise to the Maruts, who became companions to Indra, strengthening his forces.
Outraged at this betrayal, Diti cursed Aditi, saying, “May seven sons be born to you, O sister. May you also experience the grief of losing them.” This curse materialized in a future birth, where Diti incarnated as Devaki, the sister of Kamsa, the cruel king of Mathura. Devaki bore seven children, only to see each of them killed at the hands of her own brother Kamsa, who sought to prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy that foretold his death at the hands of Devaki’s eighth child, who would eventually be Lord Krishna.
Aditi as the Mother of Vamana
Aditi’s significance extends beyond her role as the mother of the Devas. She also played a key part in the narrative of the Vamana Avatar, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu. In the Treta Yuga, the Asura king Mahabali, a descendant of Prahlada, performed grand sacrifices and won dominion over the three worlds. His power and piety reached such heights that even the Devas were rendered powerless before him.
Distressed by Mahabali’s ascendancy and the subjugation of her children, Aditi turned to Vishnu, praying ardently for his help. Pleased by her unwavering devotion, Vishnu agreed to incarnate as her son. He was born to Aditi as the dwarf sage Vamana. Vamana approached Mahabali and, using a clever ploy, reclaimed the heavens for the Devas by covering the universe in three giant strides.
Aditi’s Role in the Cosmic Order
Aditi is not merely a mother to the Devas but embodies the concept of boundlessness and universal motherhood. Her attributes align her with the eternal principles that pervade the universe, allowing for liberation and growth. As the primordial goddess, she represents the infinite sky and the cosmic womb, from which all existence emerges. In this way, Aditi’s role transcends her relationships with the Devas and Asuras, standing as an archetype of cosmic balance and nurturing energy in Hindu mythology.
In this respect, Aditi symbolizes the unconditional support of the universe itself, a force that stands ready to defend, uphold, and, when needed, restore the balance of cosmic order.